The campaign trail can be tough — insane travel itineraries, little sleep, all that hand-shaking — so keeping that calorie count up is important.
Some candidates take to it better than others, check out this slideshow to see politicians stuffing their faces while stuffing their campaign coffers. less

The campaign trail can be tough — insane travel itineraries, little sleep, all that hand-shaking — so keeping that calorie count up is important.
Some candidates take to it better than others, check out ... more

Photo: Charles Krupa / AP Photo

Image 2 of 27

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney eats ice cream from Millie's on the run before a fundraising event earlier this month in Nantucket, Mass.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney eats ice cream from Millie's on the run before a fundraising event earlier this month in Nantucket, Mass.

Photo: Evan Vucci / AP Photo

Image 3 of 27

Photo: Winslow Townson / AP Photo

Image 4 of 27

Go big or go home: If you have the opportunity to eat a pork chop on a stick in front of an American flag, you better get to chomping.

Go big or go home: If you have the opportunity to eat a pork chop on a stick in front of an American flag, you better get to chomping.

Photo: AP

Image 5 of 27

Image 6 of 27

Photo: AP

Image 7 of 27

Rule# 374: It's always a good idea to eat whatever "ethnic" food is presented to you — the broader your appeal the better.

Rule# 374: It's always a good idea to eat whatever "ethnic" food is presented to you — the broader your appeal the better.

Photo: AP

Image 8 of 27

Here, Mike Huckabee eats the same pork chop at the same event four years earlier.

Here, Mike Huckabee eats the same pork chop at the same event four years earlier.

Photo: AP

Image 9 of 27

Vice President Joe Biden, known mostly for putting his foot in his mouth puts other things in there too, like a Whiz-wit cheesesteak from Pat's King of Steaks, a Philly institution.

Vice President Joe Biden, known mostly for putting his foot in his mouth puts other things in there too, like a Whiz-wit cheesesteak from Pat's King of Steaks, a Philly institution.

Photo: AP

Image 10 of 27

Image 11 of 27

Nixon never learned to stay away from eating starchy pastes with your hands, it never looks good on camera.

Nixon never learned to stay away from eating starchy pastes with your hands, it never looks good on camera.

Photo: AP

Image 12 of 27

But he gets bonus points for successfully using chopsticks.

But he gets bonus points for successfully using chopsticks.

Photo: AP

Image 13 of 27

Being seen with a hot dog is always good for your "normal Joe" image, but it can be tricky.

Being seen with a hot dog is always good for your "normal Joe" image, but it can be tricky.

Photo: AP

Image 14 of 27

No one gets more Americana points than Ronald Reagan, seen here eating a Big Mac in Alabama.

No one gets more Americana points than Ronald Reagan, seen here eating a Big Mac in Alabama.

Photo: AP

Image 15 of 27

Image 16 of 27

Ice cream is a big favorite too, even among the losers like Michael Dukakis.

Ice cream is a big favorite too, even among the losers like Michael Dukakis.

Photo: AP

Image 17 of 27

Ice cream is decidedly less patriotic, however, when you are eating it with Fidel Castro in Cuba. George McGovern doesn't seem to mind though.

Ice cream is decidedly less patriotic, however, when you are eating it with Fidel Castro in Cuba. George McGovern doesn't seem to mind though.

Photo: AP

Image 18 of 27

The most important rule, however, is to make sure to eat the sweet corn in Iowa...or the Chowder in Boston...or the cheese slice in New York.

The most important rule, however, is to make sure to eat the sweet corn in Iowa...or the Chowder in Boston...or the cheese slice in New York.

Photo: AP

Image 19 of 27

Even JFK partook in the time-honored tradition of the Iowa corn feed.

Even JFK partook in the time-honored tradition of the Iowa corn feed.

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Image 20 of 27

Image 21 of 27

Sometimes they make you feed other people. Probably not the best idea for a photo op, Gerry.

Sometimes they make you feed other people. Probably not the best idea for a photo op, Gerry.

Photo: AP

Image 22 of 27

Very rarely will they ask you to feed an elephant, but Ike was always prepared for the unexpected.

Very rarely will they ask you to feed an elephant, but Ike was always prepared for the unexpected.

Photo: AP

Image 23 of 27

Clinton was perhaps the best known campaign junk food junkie, but he also was well known for liking the ladies.

Clinton was perhaps the best known campaign junk food junkie, but he also was well known for liking the ladies.

Photo: AP

Image 24 of 27

You'd think Romney would know that one of the bigger sins is stealing an old man's pancake.

You'd think Romney would know that one of the bigger sins is stealing an old man's pancake.

Photo: AP

Image 25 of 27

Image 26 of 27

But eating a hamburger in front of a sign that reads "Believe in America" brings you back on message.

But eating a hamburger in front of a sign that reads "Believe in America" brings you back on message.

Photo: AP

Image 27 of 27

TexMessage: Not ready to give up politics just yet, Kay Bailey Hutchison and Mitt Romney lunch in D.C.

1 / 27

Back to Gallery

Last we heard of Mitt Romney, he was lunching at the White House with President Barack Obama and attending a boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.

(AP Photo)

Yet most recently, Romney’s companion consisted of various members of the GOP, including Texas’ retired Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

The best two words that can bespoke in this state will be “Goodbye rick. Next in line would be to run an honest election instead of accusing others of cheating to shed blame. This name calling is apparently all the right wing can muster to have a chance to win.

Today in Texas History

On this date in 1861, the Texas Legislature met in Austin and to voted to approve Ordinance of Secession, which would ago into effect March 2 (Texas Independence Day) if supported by a popular referendum. More>>>